January 3, 201312 yr There's a lot going on in River coming up, no? And I heard there's a really good puerto rican (I think?) sandwich shop there now too. And with whole paycheck coming next year, that's quite a bit happening. Anyone know if they are ever going to do anything with the old Target space on Center Ridge?
January 3, 201312 yr Downtown news: There is finally a coming soon sign up in Tomo, Subway has opened across from the casino, J Gumbo, Chipotle and Stonetown are all nearing completion.
January 9, 201312 yr Downtown news: There is finally a coming soon sign up in Tomo, Subway has opened across from the casino, J Gumbo, Chipotle and Stonetown are all nearing completion. ^ saw something on Facebook that said Tomo will be having its soft opening starting Friday 1/11 I believe... Also: Bricco is closing in Playhouse Square, with a different theme opening in its place. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/01/bricco_at_playhousesquare.html#incart_river_default
January 9, 201312 yr Sounds good. Love Washington Place and Hodges so if this is as good as those ill be happy. Playhouse square needs more choices... Wish there was new restaurants instead of replacements. Still, I think this will be an improvement over Bricco.
January 9, 201312 yr the Bricco owner seems disappointed...but you cant bring status quo food in this city anymore. You wont get away with it. He states Akron loves them, but Akron doesnt have the competition that Cleveland has. Completely different market. You have to have a crafty/unique concept to even have a fighting chance in this city.
January 9, 201312 yr It is funny how places such as Bricco that do well and are loved in other places dont do well in Cleveland... I dont know if this is a reflection of Clevelands sophistocated dining scene or what... I remember thinking this about McCormick & Schmick's when they closed at Beachwood Place, siting that the numbers at that location were not very good. Their locations are always packed in the DC area. Also I thought this line was funny.... "I think there's a shortage of true Italian dining in Cleveland". Having lived in many other places, I still cant get over how many Italian eateries there are in the Cleveland area and Northeast, Ohio. Maybe he is just thinking of something more specific in nature?
January 9, 201312 yr the Bricco owner seems disappointed...but you cant bring status quo food in this city anymore. You wont get away with it. He states Akron loves them, but Akron doesnt have the competition that Cleveland has. Completely different market. You have to have a crafty/unique concept to even have a fighting chance in this city. Could not agree more. I went there twice and it wasn't worth going back.
January 9, 201312 yr Could not agree more. I went there twice and it wasn't worth going back. It's not only the food, I don't think the space has any character. It is very popular in Akron, but Akron just got their first "true chef" restaurant with DBA (Dante Bocuzzi Akron). Akron doesn't have near the culinary scene of Cleveland, but really, not many cities in the country do. Hoperatives: Rock Bottom changes brewers By Rick Armon Published: January 9, 2013 rockbottomHoperatives, the informative beer blog that covers the Cincinnati area, reports that Rock Bottom Cincinnati's award-winning brewer Mitchell Dougherty has left the company to take over Eight Ball Brewing, a new operation being set up at The Party Source in Bellevue, Ky., across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati. The website also says Rock Bottom has already found its new brewer: Gerry OConnell, who was the head brewer at the Cleveland ChopHouse until it shut down last week. The move amounts to a transfer for OConnell because the ChopHouse and Rock Bottom brands are both owned by CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries. To read the Hoperatives report, click here. http://www.ohio.com/blogs/the-beer-blog/the-beer-blog-1.273124/hoperatives-rock-bottom-changes-brewers-1.363721?localLinksEnabled=false&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ohio%2Fbeer+%28The+Beer+Blog%29
January 10, 201312 yr the Bricco owner seems disappointed...but you cant bring status quo food in this city anymore. You wont get away with it. He states Akron loves them, but Akron doesnt have the competition that Cleveland has. Completely different market. You have to have a crafty/unique concept to even have a fighting chance in this city. Could not agree more. I went there twice and it wasn't worth going back. I've lived, what, 3 blocks from the PS Bricco for almost 5 years and have only ever been once? I've been working in Akron for a year and a half and have been to the downtown Akron Bricco multiple times. It's not that it's that good - it really just is one of the better lunch dining options there!
January 10, 201312 yr Down South on the North Coast Louisiana comes to Tremont this summer with Bourbon Street Barrel Room All I can assume is that Johnny Schulze, chef/owner of the Cajun/Creole-inspired Zydeco food truck, was in the midst of profound research when he called me from the Big Easy over the holidays, because he's bringing New Orleans to Cleveland. http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/down-south-on-the-north-coast/Content?oid=3127251
January 10, 201312 yr Down South on the North Coast Louisiana comes to Tremont this summer with Bourbon Street Barrel Room All I can assume is that Johnny Schulze, chef/owner of the Cajun/Creole-inspired Zydeco food truck, was in the midst of profound research when he called me from the Big Easy over the holidays, because he's bringing New Orleans to Cleveland. http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/down-south-on-the-north-coast/Content?oid=3127251 I'm so heading there asap.
January 10, 201312 yr the Bricco owner seems disappointed...but you cant bring status quo food in this city anymore. You wont get away with it. He states Akron loves them, but Akron doesnt have the competition that Cleveland has. Completely different market. You have to have a crafty/unique concept to even have a fighting chance in this city. Could not agree more. I went there twice and it wasn't worth going back. I've lived, what, 3 blocks from the PS Bricco for almost 5 years and have only ever been once? I've been working in Akron for a year and a half and have been to the downtown Akron Bricco multiple times. It's not that it's that good - it really just is one of the better lunch dining options there! To state again, it's not a chef inspired restaurant, putting that aside, it is good.
January 11, 201312 yr I don't know if this has been reported but this restaurant named B 2 B will be opening on 19th and Euclid Avenue on January 17th. The restaurant makes bizarre burgers such as Grilled Cheese burgers, Huge burger patties with donuts as a bun and things along those lines. Should be a hit with the college kids.
January 11, 201312 yr Yes it was reported previously, and there is one in Highland Heights. I had forgotten that it wasnt a National Chain though. Hope it does well there. http://www.b2bcleveland.com/
January 14, 201312 yr Does anyone know what has become of the plans to open a Barroco grill downtown? Last I heard was last April and they were going to open up on W 6th in a few weeks, but then I never heard that they were actually open.
January 14, 201312 yr ^i ate at the one in lakewood the other night and asked. She also said " a few weeks" but had a clueless look on her face. That must the automatic reply "a few weeks". I dont know what the hold up is.
January 14, 201312 yr ^ & ^^ I think that sort of timing is brainwashed into virtually anybody that works in the food biz. So many times after being asked "how long for table such-and-such", or, "how much longer for that ,insert food item name here>?" we would answer, "two minutes"
January 16, 201312 yr FYI: did anyone mention there is a fat fish blue in suburban Toledo? Same logo and menu, weird vibe.
January 16, 201312 yr This looks exciting. http://lakewood-oh.patch.com/articles/owners-of-deagan-s-opening-second-business-in-lakewood#photo-12986800
January 16, 201312 yr I've walked past the new "Stone Town" in the 668 building several times during week day evenings the last couple of weeks and they are possibly less busy than Nexxus was. They are definitely open for business but it doesn't look like they are off to a very good start unless they are getting a lot of lunch/weekend business.
January 16, 201312 yr I live pretty much right across the street and look in everytime I pass and I've seen both good and bad nights. They are opening in the wintertime and have not really done much advertising that I've seen. Black Dog was the same way at first and now is frequently busy. Their price point is at least 3 times Nexus, so we can't really compare them.
January 16, 201312 yr Good to know and good point on opening in the winter. I hope to get there soon to see how it is.
January 17, 201312 yr Hibachi-sushi restaurant Tomo joins downtown dining scene For months, it sat there -- immaculately decorated and gathering dust, just waiting to get rolling. Then came the approvals. Within hours, the doors swung open. On Jan. 11, Tomo Sushi & Hibachi Restaurant and Lounge hit the ground running. The Japanese restaurant -- 1293 West Ninth Street, 216-357-8200 -- opened after a lengthy construction and renovation of the building, which sat empty for years after housing the old Flex bathhouse. The basement, first floor and mezzanine level were rolled out to passers-by who stopped in out of curiosity to check out the unveiling of the menu, the sleek bar, mod decor and that big golden Buddha. Tomo will eventually open five floors, according to co-owner Benny Yang, who also operates Japanese restaurants in Long Island, N.Y., and at Cedar Point. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/01/hibachi-sushi_restaurant_tomo.html
January 17, 201312 yr ^ oh nice. if you can grill your own these can be a lot of fun. and up to five levels of fun will be a good time.
January 18, 201312 yr The old Prime Rib Steakhouse on Superior will be replaced by Take 5 Rhythm and Jazz. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/01/12/take-5-rhythm-and-jazz-replaces-prime-rib-steakhouse-in-warehouse-district
January 19, 201312 yr The old Prime Rib Steakhouse on Superior will be replaced by Take 5 Rhythm and Jazz. http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/01/12/take-5-rhythm-and-jazz-replaces-prime-rib-steakhouse-in-warehouse-district Good to have a jazz, smooth jazz and R&B club in the WHD again after Sixth Street Under closed. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 25, 201312 yr I post this to the UO'ers since I know someone knows! What is the history of the building that currently houses TOMO? Anyone know what was there originally and how long it was vacant? A friend from work recently went and said the food and drinks were good but the whole place had a strange vibe. Like the owners were running a front for some shady business. Hahaha I guess I need to go check it out. She was told a "questionable" history of the building and I want to know the real deal.
January 25, 201312 yr I post this to the UO'ers since I know someone knows! What is the history of the building that currently houses TOMO? Anyone know what was there originally and how long it was vacant? A friend from work recently went and said the food and drinks were good but the whole place had a strange vibe. Like the owners were running a front for some shady business. Hahaha I guess I need to go check it out. She was told a "questionable" history of the building and I want to know the real deal. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that building used to house Flex bath house. When I was in college in the early 90's we would go to a club next door called Altar House which was all industrial music (I met Front 242 there after one of their shows at the Agora), and I'm pretty sure Flex was there. Also there was a gay bar/club in that area, and possibly that building, in the later 90's, but I can't remember what it was called. The Grid maybe? Cleveland used to have a few gay bars/dance clubs downtown I used to go to w my gay friends around 95-98. Good times and lots of energy. They brought a lot of people downtown.
January 26, 201312 yr And the Grid was where Gillespies Map Room is located. I always thought the Grid seemed an odd choice of name for a gay bar - back in the day before HIV education was widespread, AIDS was referred to as GRID 'Gay Related Infectious Disease'. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
January 26, 201312 yr And the Grid was where Gillespies Map Room is located. I always thought the Grid seemed an odd choice of name for a gay bar - back in the day before HIV education was widespread, AIDS was referred to as GRID 'Gay Related Infectious Disease'. The GRID had an awesome pirate radio station. When their signal was coming through strong, I taped some of their broadcasts and I'm pretty sure I still have a few around. But this is a restaurant thread so I'll shut up now. :) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 26, 201312 yr And the Grid was where Gillespies Map Room is located. I always thought the Grid seemed an odd choice of name for a gay bar - back in the day before HIV education was widespread, AIDS was referred to as GRID 'Gay Related Infectious Disease'. Yeah. This is right around the time the clubs in Downtown started drying up.
January 28, 201312 yr Colossal Cupcake apparently putting in their sign today and then the Colossal cupcake coming in sometime this week. Pictures of the sign are on the facebook page. I wonder how large this cupcake is going to be. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=336036389846036&set=a.155730194543324.33139.151334758316201&type=1#!/pages/Colossal-Cupcakes/151334758316201
January 29, 201312 yr Colossal Cupcake apparently putting in their sign today and then the Colossal cupcake coming in sometime this week. Pictures of the sign are on the facebook page. I wonder how large this cupcake is going to be. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=336036389846036&set=a.155730194543324.33139.151334758316201&type=1#!/pages/Colossal-Cupcakes/151334758316201 So it will stay on the ground or get put in the building?
January 29, 201312 yr They said on Euclid Ave...not sure if that means hung or on the sidewalk...we shall find out in just a couple days tho.
January 29, 201312 yr They said on Euclid Ave...not sure if that means hung or on the sidewalk...we shall find out in just a couple days tho. It's hung... there's another photo on their facebook of it being installed above the entrance.
January 29, 201312 yr Sorry, I was talking about the actual cupcake that's still coming, not the signage. I didn't see a reference as to where that will be placed...hung or on the sidewalk. I think it would be cool to have a 6 foot tall cupcake on the sidewalk :)
January 29, 201312 yr couple interesting developments on the bar/lounge/craft cocktail scene. "society lounge" coming to e. 4th in late feb. early march: http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/madison-avenue-on-east-4th/Content?oid=3137527 Society Lounge, a new "Mad Men"-era cocktail destination, will be opening on E. 4th Street in the lower level of the Frederick Building, which also houses Saigon Restaurant & Bar. "spotted owl" coming to the gospel press building in tremont later this summer: http://freshwatercleveland.com/features/willhollingsworth012413.aspx Located on the lower-level of the Tremont Place Lofts at W. 7th and Jefferson, formerly the Union Gospel Press building, The Spotted Owl aims to take its place among the world's most venerable watering holes. and looks like "toast" in the detroit shoreway area is getting close: http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/toastwinebar011013.aspx Toast is now drywalled out and Davis says that she plans to open in February. We know: We'll believe it when we see it. But trust us, folks, it's pretty darn close.
February 1, 201312 yr Red the steakhouse looks to be ready to start the renovations of the Volk building. They have the plywood development box up around the first floor. And Colossal Cupcakes 6 foot sign will be attached tomorrow.
February 5, 201312 yr Get ready to say Happy New Year this weekend!! Asian community celebrates Lunar New Year: The Year of the Snake By Michael O'Malley, The Plain Dealer on February 02, 2013 at 1:02 PM, updated February 02, 2013 at 1:03 PM The Asian Plaza shopping center on Cleveland's near East Side will hold its 18th annual Lunar New Year Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The free event, at 2999 Payne Ave., celebrates the Year of the Snake and includes colorful art, traditional music, martial-arts demonstrations, Asian food, games and a lion dance. The Lunar New Year begins Sunday, kicking off a variety of celebrations among local Asian communities. For a list of events go to ocagc.org. READ MORE AT: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/02/asian_community_celebrates_lun.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 7, 201312 yr Just an update. 5 Guys in Lakewood closed over the weekend. I can't say I am really surprised, it was rarely busy in there. I don't think it was a question of parking because the Menchies next door is always busy. Seems like a price point and limited menu issue in a city where every hole in the wall has a decent burger and handcut fries/chips. I know we didn't frequent it as much as I anticipated. Last time we stopped in there right before christmas it was almost $50 to feed a family of 5. That was a shock to me.
February 7, 201312 yr ^only reason that upsets me is because it slows the momentum in downtown lakewood. Bummer, but i agree, im not a huge fan of that place. If you are going to drop that type of coin, may as well go somwhere with options and better food.
February 7, 201312 yr The key to Five Guys is knowing how much food to order. Order the right amount, and it's no more expensive than a trip to Panera. People have to realize that a "Little Bacon Cheeseburger" isn't little and is enough food for many people. Just like the "small" fries aren't small, and can feed at least two people. You can't order like you do at a normal fast food joint - my husband and I share a small fry, he gets a bacon cheeseburger, I get a little bacon cheeseburger, and we still have trouble finishing all of that.
February 7, 201312 yr ^only reason that upsets me is because it slows the momentum in downtown lakewood. Bummer, but i agree, im not a huge fan of that place. If you are going to drop that type of coin, may as well go somwhere with options and better food. Well, if it makes you feel better. There is something deep in the works for all the spaces between Jammy Buggars and Merry Arts, that a friend of a friend is working on. Should be going public soon. Something will fill the 5 Guys space. I wonder if it's an omen for the franchise in the long run, their prices keep creeping up.
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